In a slow economy, diners pick fast food

[AngelinaCat]

June 26, 2012, 1:51 pm

Business is down for Olive Garden, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse and other popular eateries owned by Darden Restaurants, which expects 2013 earnings to be below analysts' expectations, reports CNBC's Jane Wells.

Also expected to feel the pinch are other casual-dining spots, such as Texas Roadhouse, Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings and Chili's.

Places doing well are so-called fast-casual joints, such as are Chipolte Mexican, Five Guys and Panera Bread. A Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysis says people are altering their dining preferences, opting for cheaper meals out.

"People want to trade down, they want to go to the lower-priced brands," says Tyler Vernon of Biltmore Capital Advisors.

On the bright side, restaurant hiring is growing, though slowly, and some food costs have dropped from a year ago.

KFC is also doing well. Zagat's 2011 fast food survey rated the company's fried chicken No. 1. And in China, KFC is popular for wedding receptions, Vernon says.

Olive Garden next week will start a "two for $25" promotion that offers unlimited soup or salad, two entrees and the choice of either an appetizer or dessert.

Applebee's and Chili's have been running "two for $20 promotions" for several years.

Reuters contributed to this report.

http://lifeinc.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12360636-in-a-slow-economy-diners-pick-fast-food?lite

[daveinIL]

People who really want to save money should learn to cook at home. It's very had to beat the cost effectiveness of cooking a large pot of chili or stew on the weekend and freezing it in individual or family size servings to be used for the next month or so.

[frogger]

People who really want to save money should learn to cook at home.

You got that right. The 2 for $20.00 (or whatever) meal "bargains" are no bargains at all. You give me $20.00 and I can cook a feast for my entire family, and have leftovers too!

[banca rotta]

You got that right. The 2 for $20.00 (or whatever) meal "bargains" are no bargains at all. You give me $20.00 and I can cook a feast for my entire family, and have leftovers too!

I agree. $20 or not food is just that much better made at home.

Since so many sheep follow their leader Obama they should follow Michelle instead and grow a garden. Rumor has it you can user your EBT card to buy seeds.

Much better then corporate food.

[AngelinaCatHub]

I agree. $20 or not food is just that much better made at home.

Since so many sheep follow their leader Obama they should follow Michelle instead and grow a garden. Rumor has it you can user your EBT card to buy seeds.

Much better then corporate food.

Not here much as I'd like due to work stuff (no not a job, but at my brothers. He pays.) So, I second what you said, however I also add, learn to can stuff. It is cheaper than running a small freezer that when and if the SHTF, (and it will) you might have something to eat or trade.

We are now into "prepping". What for? ANYTHING. That is economy, weather disasters, turmoil, you name it. It won't cost you a lot and you can always eat it at a lower price. Try "youtube.com" "preppers" and "canning". It will not scare you to be prepared. Remember........"it was not raining, when Noah built his ark". 'Hub

[LadyInTheRed]

Home canned food makes great gifts too!

[spidge]

Dup post.

[spidge]

I take full advantage of those discount dinners out and about. In fact there is a restaurant that mails us coupons monthly and we go often. We do like to cook with three meals in mind to save, but two or three times a month we go out.
Also, I had to remove the smoke detectors because of my wife's mad cooking skills, so we go out to satisfy my taste buds from time to time.

signed,

Must be King of something, as I keep getting burnt offerings.

[tobee43]

yes, i so agree eating at home is far cheaper, usually much more nutritionally sound as well. ONLY HUGE problem with that is YOU HAVE TO COOK!!!!!! yuck! don't get me wrong here, i love to cook, it is by far one of my better talents in life, however, sometimes i would like a break. all those places listed i would never eat anyway because of the quality of the food. except maybe pandera bread for a nice salad.

[keepsmiling]

I hate to cook too. Bleh.

[mountanddo]

yes, i so agree eating at home is far cheaper, usually much more nutritionally sound as well. ONLY HUGE problem with that is YOU HAVE TO COOK!!!!!! yuck! don't get me wrong here, i love to cook, it is by far one of my better talents in life, however, sometimes i would like a break. all those places listed i would never eat anyway because of the quality of the food. except maybe pandera bread for a nice salad.

I have a panera in my office building and I find the salads expensive and rather bland. I'd rather bring a salad with me to work.

[tobee43]

I have a panera in my office building and I find the salads expensive and rather bland. I'd rather bring a salad with me to work.

i don't really know anymore since it's been about 4 years since i purchased one . also, for me one salad is three meals, i have a problem with eating and getting in enough food during the day. i usually drink a ton of plain water, but i have even switched to 4c green tea mix for extra calories during the day.

i LOVE to cook actually, today i'm making eggplant parm, chicken parm and baked ziti. i had to empty our side by side freezer and found all this nice meat, which would be going bad soon, a ton of from mozerella cheese and some ricotta, which i also had frozen, so i made a HUGE pot of sauce started it yesterday and today i went to the outdoor market and got the eggplants. i had the chicken in the freezer and all the stuff that needed to be moved out or it was going to go to waste. now i'm doing all this cooking to refreeze it all LOL!!!

[keepsmiling]

Tobee, I am on my way over. I'll bring the wine.

[ksgirl38]

Tobee, I am on my way over. I'll bring the wine.

I'm there if it's a nice red one!

[AngelinaCat]

For anyone interested in a very FINE salad, do a Google search on the Columbia Restaurant in Florida. Also, their 1905 Salad.

There are several variations of the recipe online, but try to find the closest to the Columbia's original. I use Romaine lettuce instead of the Iceberg, other than that, it is as close to the original as I can get, and is very good.